Multi-Room DVR Isolation Module Installation Guide
Overview
Purpose
This document provides instructions for installing the Multi-Room™ DVR (MR-DVR)
Isolation Module (IM), as well as troubleshooting tips. This document is concerned
only with RF information.
Audience
This guide is written for cable TV technicians who install the MR-DVR system.
Related Publications
For general information on MR-DVR System Installation, see Multi-Room DVR
System Installation Guide, part number 4003868.
In This Document
This document contains the following topics.
Topic
See Page
MR-DVR IM Description
2
Installation
4
IM Installation Examples
5
IM Installation Troubleshooting
7
For Information
13
MR-DVR IM Description
Overview
In the MR-DVR system, the client set-tops transmit a 4.5 MHz FSK signal to the
server set-top to request programs and the server delivers the programs using a
QAM signal at 873 MHz. The Isolation Module (IM) isolates the CATV plant from
these signals. The IM is installed in series with the CATV drop cable, typically
before the first splitter. The IM’s passband is 6.5 to 858 MHz (Ch 134).
Description
The IM is a device with two F-ports in a weather-resistant enclosure. It contains two
trap filters: 4.5 MHz and 873 MHz. The trap filters in the IM prevent the MR-DVR
signals from leaking onto the CATV system. In addition, the IM reflects the FSK and
QAM signals, which reduces the loss seen by these signals.
IM Illustration
The following illustration shows the IM.
MR-DVR IM Description, Continued
Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulatory Requirements
This equipment meets applicable electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) regulatory
requirements. EMC performance is dependent upon the use of correctly shielded
cables of good quality for all external connections when installing this equipment.
Ensure compliance with cable/connector specifications and associated guidelines
where given elsewhere in this guide.
IM Reflects 4.5 MHz FSK and 873 MHz QAM Signals
In the following example, the signals pass through one side of the splitter, are
reflected by the IM, and pass through the other side of the splitter. The signals
experience a loss of approximately 3.5 + 3.5 = 7 dB due to the splitter. Without the
IM, the loss would be that of the splitter port-port isolation, which is at least 20 dB.
drop cable
IN
IM
OUT
873 MHz from server
4.5 MHz from client
Server
Client
Installation
Installation Guidelines
The basic guidelines for installing the IM are as follows.
• Install the IM upstream of the splitter feeding the server and client(s).
• Install the IM as close as possible to the splitter feeding the server and client(s).
Refer to Example 3 in IM Installation Examples later in this document. If both
splitters are accessible, then Example 3b is preferable to Example 3a.
• Do not install a drop amplifier between the IM and the server.
Additional recommendations are as follows:
• Insertion loss due to cables and splitters: The loss at 873 MHz from the server to
the IM plus the loss from the IM to the client should not exceed 33 dB. Refer to
Example 1 in IM Installation Examples later in this document. The loss from the
server to the IM is 7.5 dB for the cable plus 7 dB for the 4-way splitter. The loss
from the IM to the client is also 7.5 dB + 7 dB. So total loss is 7 + 7.5 + 7 +7.5 = 29
dB.
• The IM port labeled IN should be connected to the cable from the CATV system,
and the port labeled OUT should be connected to the splitter feeding server and
client(s). This orientation results in slightly less loss of the 873 MHz signal.
• Both ports of the IM have a DC path to ground. Therefore, the IM does not
support drop amps powered over the coaxial cable, unless a DC block is placed
next to the IM.
Installing the IM
Follow these steps to install the IM.
1.
Find the optimal location for the IM. Refer to guidelines above and examples
in IM Installation Examples later in this document
2.
Mount the IM to a stud or wall using the appropriate screws (not included).
3.
Connect the coaxial cables to the IM.
4.
Tighten the cables per manufacturer’s specifications.
IM Installation Examples
Example 1: Loss from server to client at 873 MHz = 7.5 + 7 + 7 + 7.5 = 29 dB
drop cable
IN
IM
OUT
4-way split
-7 dB
100 ft. RG-59
= -7.5 dB
at 873 MHz
100 ft. RG-59
= -7.5 dB
at 873 MHz
Server
Client
Example 2: Install the IM after a drop amplifier, if present.
drop cable
IM
TV
Server
Client
IM Installation Examples, Continued
Example 3: Home with Cable Modem. IM can be placed before or after the split to the cable modem.
Example 3a
Example 3b
drop cable
drop cable
IM
IM
Cable
Modem
Cable
Modem
TV
TV
Client
Server
Client
Server
IM Installation Troubleshooting
Unable to Receive Programs or Have Poor Signal Quality
If the client set-top is unable to receive programs from the server, or if the signal
quality is poor, the problem may be due to the home wiring and/or location of the
IM. The examples below show several problematic installations and possible fixes.
Issue
Solution
Amplifier downstream of IM causes
too much loss to Multi-room signals.
Place IM downstream of amplifier.
drop cable
drop cable
IM
IM
TV
Server
Client
TV
Server
Client
IM Installation Troubleshooting, Continued
Issue
Solution
Drop Amp feeding the server prevents
the 873 MHz signal from reaching the
client.
Move the drop amp upstream of the
splitter feeding client and server.
drop cable
drop cable
IM
IM
Client
Client
TV
TV
Server
Server
IM Installation Troubleshooting, Continued
Issue
Solution
Two-way drop amp prevents installing
the IM.
No place to install IM
Replace the 2-way drop amp with a
single-output drop amp, an IM, and a
splitter.
Modified for IM
drop cable
drop cable
single-output
drop amp
2-output
drop amp
IM
splitter
Client
TV
Client
TV
Server
Server
IM Installation Troubleshooting, Continued
Signal Degraded Due to Multi-path
Sometimes the 873 MHz QAM signal is degraded due to multi-path. Multi-path
means that there are two signal paths between server and client that can cancel each
other out.
For example in the following figure, there is a path across the isolation of the splitter
feeding the client and server, and another path reflected from the IM. Degradation
becomes more likely when there is a long cable between the IM and the splitter. In
general, multi-path can be minimized by placing the IM as close as possible to the
splitter feeding the client and server. Ideally, the IM should be less than 10 feet from
the splitter.
Issue
Solution
Potential multi-path because the IM is
greater than 10 ft. from the splitter.
Potential multi-path problem
Locate the IM near the splitter feeding
server and client.
No multi-path
drop cable
drop cable
IM
> 10 ft. of
cable from IM
to splitter
feeding server
and client
IM
TV
TV
Client
Client
Server
Server
IM Installation Troubleshooting, Continued
Issue
Solution
Potential multi-path because the IM is
greater than 10 ft. from the splitter.
Locate the IM near the splitter feeding
server and client.
Potential multi-path problem
No multi-path
drop cable
drop cable
IM
> 10 ft. of
cable from IM
to splitter
feeding server
and client
Server
IM
Client
Server
Client
IM Installation Troubleshooting, Continued
Issue
Solution
Potential multi-path because the IM is
greater than 10 ft. from the splitter.
Potential multi-path problem
By moving the client’s cable to a nonadjacent splitter port, it may be possible
to avoid moving the IM.
Try client on non-adjacent splitter port
drop cable
drop cable
IM
IM
> 10 ft. of
cable from IM
to splitter
feeding server
and client
Server
Client
Server
Client
For Information
If You Have Questions
If you have technical questions, call Cisco Services for assistance. Follow the menu
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October 2012 Printed in USA
Part Number
78-4010163-01 Rev C